The tedium of cooking for children

Can we talk about mealtimes with a family? I don’t have one of those Romper Room-esque magic mirrors, but, if I did what would I see at your house? Would there be a blissful gathering around a laden table or would it be more a drive-by style dinner with a variety of meals, eaten in 3 different living areas?

If I confessed to eating Lucky Charms for dinner, at least one night during the week while the boys are with their Dad, would that surprise you? I’m all about eating well and mentally tally my fruit and vegetable servings daily, but, after nearly 17 years, I am tired of feeding my children. Sometimes a night off from cooking is what I need more than a balanced supper.

Individually my boys, each have favorite foods and, my youngest aside, their palates are reasonably sophisticated. My oldest loves seafood and traditional dishes like mashed potatoes and meatloaf. The middle guy, after eating no meat other than bacon or chicken for his first five years, is a true carnivore and enjoys lamb, duck and beef as frequently as possible. He’ll happily munch snap peas or sliced peppers as a snack.

There are maybe 3 meals which I can place on the table and receive unanimous approval from the boys. I’m thinking breaded and sauteed chicken cutlets, a chicken roasted with rosemary and homemade pizza. Yep, that’s about it. Beyond, that, it becomes an exhausting array of side dishes and negotiations.

I know there are cooks who are committed to serving a single protein, starch and veg to the entire family and calling it a day, but I just haven’t been successful on that meal plan. Instead, I prepare a main dish that at least two of the kids will eat without complaint and round things out with yogurt, fruit and veggies. And milk, lots of Meadow Brook Farms milk for my growing boys.